Derrick Washington, an offensive mainstay for two seasons with Missouri, was dismissed from the team just before the start of the 2010 season.

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Before transferring to Tuskegee this summer, starting running back Derrick Washington was convicted of felony sexual assault, served 120 days in prison in Missouri and is now forced to register as a sex offender.

While serving his prison sentence for that conviction, Washington also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault for a separate incident in which he assaulted a former girlfriend.

Despite those incidents, Tuskegee coach Willie Slater said he felt comfortable enough, after interviewinjg Washington at length, to offer him a scholarship and a second chance with the Division II program in Alabama.

"He's a good kid who just messed up," Slater said. "Since he's been here, he's been a model kid. He's done everything we've asked him to do. I don't bring bad kids into any program. My reputation as a coach goes well past this place and no one has ever questioned the kids I bring in.

"Derrick's a good kid. He spent 120 days in prison. That changes a person."

Washington's sexual assault conviction stems from an incident in June 2010 in which a former athletics department tutor at Missouri accused the running back of sexually touching her while she slept, according to an account from the trial appearing in the Columbia Daily Tribune.

Slater said Tuskegee has taken all necessary steps to ensure Washington was properly registered as a sex offender on campus, in the City of Tuskegee and in Macon County.

Washington has started both games for Tuskegee this season, rushing for 155 yards and two TDs in last week's 35-17 win against Johnson C. Smith (N.C.). He rushed for 2,000 yards in two seasons as the starter at Mizzou.